Guidance on Protecting Adults from Scams

Guidance on Protecting Adults from Scams

Social workers are being issued with tips on safeguarding vulnerable adults from scams

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has released guidance for social workers, to help them spot when adults may be victims of doorstep scams or mass marketing.   The guidance has been produced in association with the Adult Principal Social Worker network, National Trading Standards and the Local Government Association.

The Care Act 2014 outlines how councils are required to protect people from financial abuse.  These scams intimidate or bribe people to part with their money or financial details and so the guidance has been put together to give helpful tips on how to talk to vulnerable adults who may have been affected, and how to prevent further abuse.   

The average age of a victim is 75, with older and disabled people often being targeted by fraudsters.  The guidance advises practitioners to try and sensitively retrieve information regarding the scams, and warns that victims of the scamming may be difficult to identify as they could have been instructed to stay quiet by criminals, or they may feel guilt and shame. 

The guidance also includes a link to an online training session and provides case studies for councillors, as well as local safeguarding boards and health and wellbeing boards. 

Vice President of ADASS, Glen Garrod, said: “Carers, families and neighbours need to be more aware of abuse, which can see older and disabled people lose their life savings and suffer deteriorating health after falling victim to scam letters, calls or doorstep fraudsters.

“The guidance we have published in tandem with partners on financial abuse and scams aims to improve safeguarding work for those working in social care. Improved information sharing between health and social care agencies, and robust risk assessments and record keeping will also help to minimise the risk of, and identify potential signs of abuse.”

Click here to read the guidance: https://www.adass.org.uk/media/5799/top-tips-financial-abuse-and-scams.pdf

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